Merrill Releases Turnout Figure from 2012 Republican Presidential Preference Primary

Romney Wins All 25 Delegates at Stake

Secretary of the State Reports Turnout of 14.4% Among Registered Republicans; Lowest Percentage Since Current Presidential Preference Primary was First Used in 1980

Hartford:  Secretary of the State Denise Merrill today released voter turnout figures from yesterday’s 2012 Republican Presidential Preference Primary in Connecticut.  Figures reported by Republican Registrars of Voters show that a total of 59,969 registered Republicans cast ballots out of a total of 415,725 active registered Republicans in the state, for a turnout percentage of 14.4% statewide.  The figure represents the lowest voter turnout for a presidential preference primary in Connecticut since the current system was first established for the 1980 presidential election and a sharp drop from the 2008 turnout figure for Republicans of 36.7%.  Secretary Merrill, who will certify the results to the State Republican party within days, is also reporting that Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney will be awarded all of the 25 delegates at stake in yesterday’s contest, according to party rules. 

“Republicans in Connecticut got to have their say yesterday, as did their counterparts in New York, Pennsylvania, Delaware and Rhode Island,” said Secretary Merrill, Connecticut’s chief elections official.  “I will be certifying these results shortly, according to our state laws, and notifying the Republican party so the appropriate delegates can be awarded to former Governor Romney.  Now that this primary is behind us, we look forward to an exciting election season this year with a statewide primary in August and a major Presidential Election in November.”

Republican former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney won the support of 67.5% of the primary voters yesterday, while Ron Paul won 13.5%, Newt Gingrich won 10.3%, and Rick Santorum won 6.8% support.  Some 2% of those voting yesterday chose the uncommitted slot on the ballot.  The town with the highest voter turnout percentage yesterday was Wethersfield, where 41.1% of Registered Republicans voted.  The city of Bridgeport had the lowest voter turnout, saw just 7.7% of registered Republicans cast ballots.  A complete listing of the 2012 Republican Presidential Preference Primary results and a letter explaining the awarding of delegates is attached to this news release. 

Previous Presidential Primary Turnout

2012 Republican               14.4%

2008 Democratic               51.1%

2008 Republican               36.7%

2004 Democratic               20.4% 

2000 Republican               40.8%

2000 Democratic               28.8%

1996 Republican               28.4%

1992 Democratic               26.2%

1992 Republican               21.9%

1988 Democratic               36.8%

1988 Republican               23.8%

1984 Democratic               33.0%

1980 Democratic               33.2%

1980 Republican               43.3%

Av Harris
Director of Communications
Connecticut Secretary of the State Denise Merrill
(860) 509-6255 ofc
(860) 463-5939 cell

av.harris@ct.gov